dubbed

USAGE SUMMARY

"dubbed" is a perfectly acceptable word in written English.
You can use it to describe when something has been given a different name or title, usually one that is more well-known than the original. For example: "The new movie was dubbed 'The Greatest Showman' by critics."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It has been dubbed an "epic fail" and the biggest screw-up in reality TV history – and left some wondering if it wasn't all just a publicity stunt.

The Guardian

Those involved in youth violence are dubbed gangs when really they are groups on the periphery who commit robberies and other crimes as a group of friends.

The Guardian

The asylum crackdown is the third and final piece of policy repositioning Rudd wanted to complete before calling an election and comes after he brought forward the end of the fixed carbon price and dubbed himself the carbon tax "terminator".

The Guardian

But there are plenty of quiet nooks, including some booth-like seating in a separate room dubbed The Saloon.

The Guardian - Travel

Then I remembered that Loach's Kes had its soundtrack dubbed to make it more comprehensible to soft southerners - in England, not in Dixie.

The Guardian - Film

His study was dubbed the Richard Tauber Suite, and he and I would sit there, post-prandially, to indulge our worship of the great tenor's early scratchy recordings.

The Guardian

They will have to wait as a mass trial of more than 100 people involved in a government corruption scandal, dubbed "cashgate", starts this February.

The Guardian

She was recently dubbed "Mrs U-Turn" – a tag she is trying to shed – after dropping her opposition to gay marriage.

The Guardian

TFC face D.C this Saturday in what should be dubbed The Derby della Duds, as both teams are barely scraping to get by.

The Guardian - Sport

Health secretary Jeremy Hunt, former leader of the House of Commons William Hague and environment secretary Liz Truss were all in what was dubbed "the spin room" to give their verdict on the evening's events.

The Guardian

Thousands of people lined up on Saturday for the chance to take home a piece of the iconic, but dilapidated Houston Astrodome, once dubbed the "eighth wonder of the world".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "dubbed" to indicate a commonly known or widely adopted alternative name or description, often after a period of initial naming.

Common error

Avoid using "dubbed" excessively in highly formal or academic writing where more precise terms like "designated" or "termed" might be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "dubbed" is as a past participle of the verb 'dub', often used adjectivally. Ludwig shows that it describes something that has been given a name or title. For instance, 'The project was dubbed Operation Phoenix'.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Formal & Business

1%

Science

1%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "dubbed" functions primarily as a past participle, indicating that something has been given a name or title. According to Ludwig, the term is grammatically correct and enjoys widespread use, especially in News & Media contexts. While the term is neutral, remember that in more formal contexts, words like "designated" or "termed" might be preferable. Keep in mind that "dubbed" is very common, making it essential for effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Named

Indicates a formal act of giving a name.

Called

A more informal and common way of referring to something by a particular name.

Designated

Implies an official or formal assignment of a name or title.

Labelled

Suggests attaching a descriptive term, often with a specific connotation.

Nicknamed

Refers to an informal or familiar name, often used affectionately or humorously.

Termed

A more formal alternative to 'called', often used in academic or technical contexts.

Entitled

Indicates giving a formal title, often for creative works or legal documents.

Characterized

Implies describing something by highlighting its distinctive features.

Referred to as

A more explicit way of indicating that something is known by a particular name.

Known as

Indicates a common or well-established name for something.

FAQs

How can I use "dubbed" in a sentence?

You can use "dubbed" to indicate that something has been given a new name or title, often one that is widely recognized. For example, "The media "dubbed" the event 'The Social Media Disaster'.

What's a good alternative to using "dubbed"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives such as "named", "called", or "designated".

Is it correct to use "dubbed" in formal writing?

While "dubbed" is generally acceptable, consider using more formal alternatives like "designated" or "termed" for a more professional tone.

What is the difference between "dubbed" and "labeled"?

"Dubbed" often implies a more widely recognized or popularized name, whereas "labeled" suggests a more descriptive or categorizing term. "The press "dubbed" him a hero," versus "He was "labeled" as high-risk patient".